Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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*Not Jasper Lily*
I don't know where to post this so I hope this is ok but my friend who's wedding I attended a couple weeks ago just texted me to tell me that they had to put down their beloved dog, Cooper. Cancer. THE SAME CANCER that TOOK MY SHELBY FROM ME! I AM ANGRY. I AM HEARTBROKEN. I AM IN TEARS!!!!
Less than 15 hours they had with Cooper before they had to say goodbye. The hemangiosarcoma presented in it's normal fashion - bleeding internally, the liver, turmors. Cooper was a black lab (mix, I think). But mostly lab. Beautiful dog.
Was in their wedding. Was the ring bearer. He was healthy AND happy just 3 weeks ago. I don't get it. How does this happen? How did no one see the signs?
Cooper was their baby - their best friend - they traveled w/Cooper ALL the time. Cooper was their Shelby.
I am so angry ...and in tears (at work). It's so unfair. Cooper was only 10, I think.
F U Cancer.
Sorry for my harsh language. I am just soooo upset and sad.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
There is no "harsh" language strong enough forthis sh*tty diesease!!!!
PLEASE convery our heartfelt condolences to Cooper's soulmates! You are the best support person forthem right 
ow. You understand like no others can.
When they areup to it, maybe they would want to post pictures of Cooper here....here among friends who grieve with them.
I'm so sorry, so verry, very sorry.
Hugs to you...and to them
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Oh Alison,
I'm so sorry to hear about Cooper and what his family is now going through. Cancer just plain SUCKS!! There is no reasoning why it attacks one but not another and why one can be slower growing and another takes people and pets away in the blink of an eye.
I'll keep dear Cooper and his pack in my thoughts and I have no doubt your precious Shelby was there to greet him at the Bridge.
And your language is just fine...we all know how cancer make us irate and p----d off!
HUGS
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
I'm so sorry to hear about Cooper. And I understand, it makes me so angry, so often these pups are so young! I know you've mentioned before that you always pictured an old 15 for Shelby. And 10 is WAY too young. Theo would've been (will be) 10 in December.
And this disease is just so unpredictable...one day their running, the next they've got a limp or fluid/blood in his organs, and all you can think is how long has this piece of crap tumor been growing inside of him?! Then one pup lives 5 years longer while another is gone in days or weeks...I just don't get it and it leaves some of us in a whirlwind. Wondering how our babies could go so fast...
Sending my best to your friends...I know you'll be able to comfort them.
Thank you my dear friends ... your support means so much to me (and I will convey to my dear friends).
While I am heartbroken... I am forever grateful for the memories they will have with Cooper - especially at their wedding. Cancer CANNOT and will NEVER take that away ...
Here are some photos of beloved Cooper ... He was a handsome boy!
He was a rescue after he flunked out of police training. He was just too loving and affectionate to be a working dog. I am grateful for the many years of love and happiness he had with my bestie, Craig ... Craig is like a brother to me and was there for me every step of the way with Shelby. I know Shelby did greet Cooper at the bridge (they never met on earth) and hopefully they are playing together now.
1. At the wedding
2. On a vacation with his family
3. My dear Craig and beloved Cooper ... such love in their eyes..
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Awwww..com.com beautiful .emories...bittersweet right now, but beautiful. Thanks for sharing.com
And you better believe the first one Cooper saw at the Bridge was Shelby and I know that was an incredibly joyous reunion!!!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Alison,
I am so sorry for your friend's loss, and yours as well. ....Believe me, I know as well as anyone how horrible this crappy cancer is.....I hate it so freaking much. Please tell your friends how sorry I am. I cried looking at Cooper's picture. ....he reminds me so much of my sweet Maggie.....
{{{Hugs}}} to you today....
Much Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Alison,
Reading about Cooper is heartbreaking. His pictures show an incredibly loving, faithful character. I know that he is dearly missed by Craig and by you. Don't feel bad at all about your language. Considering what you are going through, I thought that you exercised a lot of restraint.
Despite the sorrow and pain, I think it is wonderful that you have a friend, Craig, that supported you all the way with Shelby's circumstances. And, as mentioned above, now you can help to support Craig through this, grieving, mourning and remembering together. That's a friendship that we would all be fortunate to have.
Cooper is fortunate to have had such a wonderful, caring and loving environment for his time here with us. I can imagine that the love and care bestowed on Cooper was equally reflected in his love for his family and friends. Despite our sorrow, perhaps we can feel some modicum of relief that he is now playing near that Rainbow Bridge with Shelby, pain free and disease free.
I will toast Cooper tonight with a glass of wine.
Best wishes,
Bob & Mattie
Thank you ALL.
Bonnie - I know ... I thought of you immediately when they told me ... another lab to that horrible cancer! And so fast.
Bob and Mattie - thank you for your kind words... they mean so much and I am sharing ALL of these comments w/Craig and his family .. I know they will feel the love from our nation.
Ellen ... HUGS... and more hugs!!! I hate this cancer ... I really do.
I wonder and have been pondering this all day ... was I lucky because I got 8 extra months with Shelby (6 in which we knew she was sick and we were fighting it) or was the worse because I never knew when our last day would come and would it have been better to have her go like Cooper did ... quickly and without the vet visits.
Shelby never minded her vets ... she loved them all and was never scared to go there but I know she could sense my anxiety during our journey. I guess it's a double-edge sword... I hate cancer. But I do know Shelby has welcome Cooper with open paws.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Alison,
I am so sorry to hear about Cooper. You know that this is the hardest part of the journey and they didn't even get a chance to fight this effing disease. Please pass my condolences on to his family and let them know that I am thinking about them in this time of grief.
Cooper got to experience a love of a life time with them and got to celebrate their wedding. He will be watching over them in their journey. Love the pictures of him
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Ellen and Adam....lovely, lovely "heart dog"...........
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Alison (and friends) I am so sorry. Hemagio is so ugly, and likes to show its face sometimes only when its too late. My Jake developed it after having won the MCT battle, and there was nothing we could do. I looked at those pictures of Cooper, and I could tell he was so loved. Hold on to the memory that he had a GREAT life, he got to travel, he was loved, he was able to be the ringbearer for the wedding...those are what mattered, not this stupid disease, not what took him from the world but all the paw prints he left behind.
Many Hugs to you (and your friends) today.
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Alison,
I have yet to figure out if it is better to lose a loved one suddenly or to have the time to say good bye but not know when. For the people left behind either is tough, though I think it helps a little to have some time.
For the dogs, I'm not sure it matters. Either way they live each day to the fullest until the very end arrives. Maybe it is better for them to not have their humans hovering over them & acting all weird & crying & stuff?
I am so sorry you & your friends had to say good bye to Cooper much sooner than seems reasonable and with no warning. He is a beautiful lab & i know he was much loved.
We all agree cancer SUCKS!
Sonya & "Millie"--born Feb 1999, diagnosed with OSA 8/27/14, set free 9/27/14
(RIP baby girl)
mom2shelby said
I wonder and have been pondering this all day ... was I lucky because I got 8 extra months with Shelby (6 in which we knew she was sick and we were fighting it) or was the worse because I never knew when our last day would come and would it have been better to have her go like Cooper did ... quickly and without the vet visits.Shelby never minded her vets ... she loved them all and was never scared to go there but I know she could sense my anxiety during our journey. I guess it's a double-edge sword... I hate cancer. But I do know Shelby has welcome Cooper with open paws.
I think we are all lucky. Despite all odds, we are here. Despite all odds, we have/had such influential relationships with the purest of animals, our pets. To me, any chance to interact, know and love our pets is the quintessential, purest form of love and dedication that exists, however fleeting it may be and however quickly the end may come. It is a fortune which we have been lucky to have encountered, tantamount to winning a lottery of love...just to have the good fortune of loving and to be loved so purely, in return.
I enjoyed seeing Cooper's pictures. I particularly enjoyed the third picture, of Craig & Cooper. If it's okay with Alison and Craig, I am posting a gamma-enhanced copy of that third picture which, on my old CRT monitor, brings out both of their faces. So much love there!!
Much love to Alison, Craig, Craig's family and all of those that Cooper's life touched.
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